Tornadoes Rare in North Dakota County Where Man Camp Hit

BISMARCK ,N.D. (AP) — Tornadoes are rare in a western North Dakota county where a twister ravaged an oil patch worker camp and injured nine people, including a 15-year-old girl.

National Weather Service data show that until Monday, there had been only 14 tornadoes reported in McKenzie County since 1950, with no fatalities.

Meteorologist Ken Simosko says the growing population in western North Dakota due to the oil boom means more tornadoes are reported. He says Monday's tornado might never have been noticed before the oil boom.

Simosko says the growth of temporary housing also means there is more of a chance for death, injury and destruction from tornadoes.

Monday's twister hit a small worker camp, with only 15 trailers. County Emergency Manager Jerry Samuelson says some in the county have hundreds of trailers.